How to Replace the Oil Pan Gasket in a Saturn VUE

A puddle of oil under your Saturn VUE may be an indication that the oil pan gasket has worn out. If you have Saturn VUE made before 2006 with a 2.5 L motor, you'll probably have to lift the engine a few inches in order to access the oil pan. However, if your VUE has a larger 3.0 L or 3.5 L motor, replacing the oil pan gasket is a fairly straightforward operation.

Instructions

1

Park the Saturn VUE on a level surface, and engage the parking brake. Jack up the front end of the vehicle, and slide a jack stand securely underneath. Block the rear tires.

2

Crawl under the vehicle, and find the drain plug on the bottom of the oil pan. Put a bucket under the oil pan, and use a socket wrench to remove the plug. Allow enough time for all of the oil to drain into the bucket, and then replace the drain plug.

3

Disconnect the negative battery cable and remove the bolts holding the nose cone bracket to the oil pan. Lower the bolts on the transmission flange, and remove the oil pan bolts. Use an RTV cutter tool to shear the RTV seam, then tap the pan with a rubber mallet to remove it.

4

Remove all traces of the old gasket, and wipe the surface with solvent and clean rags. Wipe out the inside of the oil pan.

5

Lay a narrow bead of RTV sealer around the inner side of the oil pan flange, put some Loctite on the bolts, and reattach the oil pan. Tighten the bolts with your fingers, then torque them to 11 ft. lb. with a torque wrench. Torque the transaxle to oil pan bolts to 48 ft. lb.

6

Reconnect the negative battery cable, and jack up the car enough to slide out the jack stand.

7

Fill the engine with 4 qt. of oil, then check the level with a dipstick. Add enough oil to bring it to the full level.